Tuesday 17 July - Barcelona - 30C and cloudless.

We are up to get in the queues at Sagrada Familia before the rush starts. Caught the Metro up there, arriving at 8.30 a.m. to find only a 100m queue. Success!!!

The gates opened at 9.00 a.m. and with typical Spanish efficiency, we were inside the cathedral by 9.30 a.m.

From the outside, you realise very quickly this is a work in progress (about 130 years so far) as there are cranes craning, workmen working, drills, grinders, compressors and all sorts of construction noise going on. Inside the Cathedral is relatively quiet although the hum of construction is always present.

On entering the building, we were amazed by the height which is emahasised by the construction of the pillars supporting the roof. At every turn there is something unusual to look at in the detail of the walls, windows or statues.

Our ticket included the elevator ride to the top of one of the bell towers - nose bleed stuff, but great views - and when the bells rang ten times at ten o'clock - being that close to the bells was a big surprise - deafening in fact. We walked back down the narrow staircases inside the belltower for excellent all-round views of Barcelona and the ongoing construction.

We were surprised that the interior of the Cathedral appeared to be little decorated and finished after 130 years on the job. There are still plain glass windows while others are beautiful stained glass. Perhaps this is to protect them while construction is in progress.The alter and the dome above are magnificent with Christ suspended above the main altar. There is a museum below the cathedral which shows Pope Benedict consecrating the Cathedral in 2010 when the structural work inside the building was complete. Looked like the who's who of the catholic church got dressed in their very best for the day and had a great time. I suppose this sort of event doesn't come around very often in a life of a pope these days?

Perhaps another visit in 20 years will show a more complete Gaudi Cathedral?

Our walk back to the apartment took a few detours as we passed the Plaza de Toros (Bullring) then onto Torre AGBAR which is a very distinctive office block.

Then the Arc de Triomf which is part of a spectacular avenue that reminds you of a smaller but older version of the Mall in Washington DC. This leads on to the Parc de la Ciutadella which is a large and beautiful park we will discover another day.

Just before reaching home, we stumbled across another huge indoor market (Mercat de Santa Caterina) near the Barcelona Cathedral (not the Gaudi one) where you could eat-in or buy fresh produce to take away, Will spend some more time exploring this in the next few days.

In the evening, popped out to last night's market to update the refigerator - beautiful fresh fruit juices at 1E, some parmesan cheese for the salad and some fat black Kalamata olives to nibble on.

A very big day and heads hit pillows very early tonight.